Dennis RomeroDespite our potholes and celebrity a-holes, we still think L.A. is the greatest city on earth.
Some folks out there agree. For example, you're flying into LAX from the east and you see this great metropolis as it rises from the desert and lights up for miles and miles.
One of the greatest approaches in global aviation? Yes:
According to a recent travel poll by private-jet booking service PrivateFly.com, LAX has the “world's third most scenic global approach,” the site says in a statement sent to the Weekly.
L.A.'s high ranking was backed by comments from users and “judges,” such as John Bevan, who said:
I was blown away by the views and sheer size of it all.
Indeed. So who beats that?
According to PrivateFly, Barra Airport in Scotland came in second place for its water landings and St. Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport in the Caribbean topped the list for its “gorgeous approach over the clear blue sea … [and] white sand beach.”
The ranking was produced by having top travel editors come up with their own top landings and then having PrivateFly's users vote on those.
The top 10, which Private Fly CEO Adam Twidell calls “an annual bucket list for air travel fans,” follows:
Credit: Paul Bailey / Flickr
St Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), Caribbean
Barra Airport (BRR), Scotland.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), USA
Paro (PBH), Bhutan
Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS), USA
Phinda Airstrip, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
London City Airport (LCY), UK
Aruba Princess Beatrix International Airport (AUA), Lesser Antilles
Mustique Airport (MQS), St Vincent & The Grenadines
Nice Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE), France
One user said of LAX:
The approach to LAX is quite stunning, especially at night. The city of Los Angeles spreads out to infinity below the aircraft like a blanket of stars. Daytime, passengers can gawk at the city surrounded by the desert, mountains, and the ocean.
Sounds about right.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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